Starting freelance

[katie-robinson]

Hello,

Im looking into doing a bio sculpture course and then going out and working for myself.
I have a makeup qualification so have other services to offer to.

I am currently an at home mum, and on benefits ; housing benefit, job seekers.

Has any one experienced how working for your self would effect benefits coming in.
Im worried about loosing housing benefit if i start getting money in, as i wont be able to afford to pay it my self..

I know that i probably wont be working any where near 16 hours a week especially within the first couple years,, but im really not sure of what to do..

any help/tips or stories would greatly be appreciated..

Thanks
Katie

 

[hilaryp2]

have you gone to your job centre for advice on this? they can usually help. dont forget all the otheroutgoings like insurance and travel costs too if you are going to set up by yourself. have you got enough money stored away for doing the course and buying stock? good luck

 

[Princess_emily1]

hiya katie x

I am a self employed nail technician. I am able to claim benefits too and only recieve jsa but i put all of it to getting my leaflets etc done and buying stock x as i have a partner who can support me till..

The problem i see is that you are getting this money in and sort of in a trap...
there is so much maths that you need to do before you can start it.... such as marketing/ promoting your self... you want to make a great impression off your self get someone to design u leaflets and get good quality ones as it shows that you are profesional etc ... thnen your clients will start rolling in etc and u should have know worries!

this can be expensive may cost u about £500 for flyers and a pricelist

try and set aside some money you recieve and put it to your best advantage... i know it is really difficult especialy with children ..

if you worked them full 16 hours (or 15hrs and 59mins lol) u would be earning £320 a week if u charged £20 a set and done them in an hour to work these hours you need some good flyers and a big leaflet drop x

check out mobile therapist in your area and see what they charge but with bio im sure u can charge up to £40? then thats £640 a week which would be lovely then bye bye benefits lol!

facebook is a gem too! set up a beauty page and advertise your self! get out there and enjoy every minute of it though start advertising just before your course, on facebook or somthing as then u can say when u will be offering them for people to book in x

i hope that helps! x wish u the best of luck as its amazing once u get going! x
sorry its an essay! x

all the best x emily x

 

[kirsty]

I'm currently self employed but still get income support, housing benefit etc because I don't work 16 hours yet and don't earn enough for them to stop my benefits. They have told me they will reduce my benefits as my income increases. I have to send copies of my business income and expenses for them to check every few weeks. HTH.

 

[katie-robinson]

Emily hey thanks for your message! i asked at the job centre about jsa and working for my self, she said i can still claim jsa ( like u) if i work under 16 hrs a week. she then went on to say something about the first 5pounds i earn i keep and the rest i have to declair or something? i really didnt get what she meant? do you know?
also if ur on jsa and working less that 16 hrs a week, do you have to still sign on every 2 weeks and be looking for a full time job?

where did you get your flyers etc printed? how many did you post on a big leaflet drop?

do you have children? im not sure wat i would do with my son whilst i work, as unsure if i could afford childcare, its like 200pound or more a week..
sorry for all the questions lol,, i just got so much i want to know before i commit my self..

thanks so much for ur msg and help xx

 

[katie-robinson]

hey kirty, thanks for your message.
Do you find ur better of working for ur self?
do you know how much you need to earn for them to start reducing ur benefits
?

x